Randall files complaint with FPPC

Local anti-tax activist Thomas Randall Jr. has filed a complaint with the Fair Political Practices Commission, claiming the Davis school board is “using taxpayers’ money for campaign materials produced at taxpayers’ expense and disseminated in print and on the Internet with the purpose to pass Measure E.”

Measure E is a Davis school parcel tax on the Nov. 6 ballot. Board president Susan Lovenburg is named specifically in the complaint.

This is the second time Randall has complained to the FPPC about a school parcel tax campaign. Last year, he filed a lengthy complaint against the school district regarding the campaign for Measure A, a two-year parcel tax on the May 2011 ballot. After reviewing that complaint and the evidence submitted by Randall, the FPPC closed its file on the matter a few weeks later, without ruling in Randall’s favor.

The new complaint runs seven pages. Randall also submitted another 17 pages of exhibits supporting his complaint.

“It is urgent that the FPPC act on this complaint immediately before the election on Nov. 6 to avoid irreparable damage to the voters of Davis,” he wrote. “The school board members are not above the law. The exercise of democracy needs to have a fair and honest process instead of ramming Measure E on us, breaking campaign laws.”

Replied Lovenburg, “The fact sheet in question is consistent with neutral information provided by the district whenever a parcel tax is placed on the ballot. As such, I have preferred to distribute it at campaign events in favor of materials produced by the Yes on E campaign. This fact sheet is freely available on the district’s website and in paper copy to all candidates and any member of the public. It contains the actual ballot language of the measure and indicates voters will be asked to vote yes or no on Measure E.”

Lovenburg also said she welcomes the agency’s ruling on this complaint.

“In the case of a similar complaint filed by Thomas Randall regarding Measure A, the FPPC determined the district and board members did not act improperly,” she said.